Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/145

 entitle it to distinction; it bears accordingly a high price when of good quality.

is chiefly employed for necklaces, ear-drops, bracelets, &c. in suit. No little skill and taste are required in cutting and duly proportioning this gem; the table should be perfectJy symmetrical, and not too large, the bizel of sufficient depth, and the collet-side should be formed in delicate steps. It works easily on the mill, and the lapidaries are in general tolerably well acquainted with it; yet it is uncommon to meet with one well cut.

yellow topaz varies in price according to its beauty and perfection. A superlatively fine stone, perfect in color and workmanship, sufficiently large for an armlet, or any other